ENGLISH
REFERENCE

run riot

idiom
Meaning

To act in an uncontrolled, unbridled manner.


Examples
SIMPLE

The children ran riot in the garden all afternoon.

CONTEXTUAL

Without a teacher in the classroom, the students began to run riot and ignore all the rules.

COMPLEX

As the security guards lost control of the crowd, the protestors began to run riot through the city streets, causing chaos in their wake.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    break into a run

    To start running.

  2. 02

    common run

    Ordinary persons, things, or events.

  3. 03

    dry run

    A practice or rehearsal; especially, one that goes through all the motions of a physical process but without the raw material or workpiece present.

  4. 04

    dummy run

    A trial or practice before the real attempt.

  5. 05

    good run

    Success over an extended period.

  6. 06

    hit and run

    Sexual intercourse followed by a prompt departure; a one-night stand.

  7. 07

    hold with the hare and run with the hounds

    To oppose an action or behavior and yet engage in the same action or behavior; to be a hypocrite.

  8. 08

    learn to walk before one can run

    Before one can perform a complicated task, one has to learn how to perform more simple tasks.

© 2026 English Reference